Shakespearean success story

Shakespeare took a Kinston High School senior to New York City this year.

April Davis recently performed a sonnet and monologue in front of a big city crowd after winning first place in the local branch of the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition.

She was among 58 winners who performed various Shakespeare works at the Lincoln Center Theatre on April 22.

“It was amazing,” said Davis, 18. “I did not expect to even win at a local level. Travelling to New York was a great experience. I learned a lot, and it was really fun.”

It was the first time she competed in the ESU, which is designed for students to develop speaking and critical thinking skills while appreciating literature. Davis had only performed contemporary pieces before the competition.

“I just wanted to try something different,” said Davis, who enjoyed the challenge of analyzing Shakespearean literature. “After you do your research, it’s such a dramatic story.”

She performed Sonnet 127 and a Queen Margaret monologue from Henry VI Part 3, the pieces that crowned her No. 1 in the local Colonial Branch group based in New Bern.

Kinston High School theatre teacher Clay Raines exposed Davis — who was his third student to travel to New York for the ESU — to the competition.

“It’s kind of validation for me to know that I’m able to get them to that point and to give them something they wouldn’t be able to get on their own,” said Raines, who specializes in Shakespeare studies.

“What’s unique about (the competition) is that not many places give you a chance to do Shakespeare and reward you for doing Shakespeare,” he added. “It’s like people don’t want to hear it anymore.”

It was his fourth year involved in the three-leveled competition where students memorized, interpreted and executed the works. More than 25,000 youth have gone through the ESU, and Davis’ being one broadened her performing horizon.

“I learned that overall you need to just have fun in what you’re doing, whether you make it to the big times or whatever,” Davis said. “If you like to do theatre arts, you need to do it regardless.”

Davis plans on attending North Carolina A&T to study mass communication and to minor in theatre. She wants to become a publicist but has no issue taking time off if she was discovered doing a play.

“(Acting has) really helped me come out of my shell,” said Davis, who enjoys being able to portray other characters.

As for the competition, she said, “It gives you a sense to be able to see how other people do and see what you need to do to be No 1.”

Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.